Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Best Gift of All

I have thought and thought and thought to come up with what would be the best gift that someone with little money could give someone. Sure, there are lots of inexpensive gifts out there for under even $5. Just go check out a dollar store and you will find many things you can wrap up inexpensively. You could also bake up something small or cook up something unique that wouldn't cost a small fortune.

I would suggest that giving of your time is also a great way to offer up a unique gift but for those of us with chronic illness and ra in particular, that may not be the best option for us. We often have little energy left this time of the year and although offering free babysitting for one night, chauffeur service for that teen, or even a helping hand with cleaning might be a great gift idea for the healthy out there but for us, this probably is not an option. This may be the perfect gift that our loved ones can give us but that may be a topic for another post.

So, what can we give that wouldn't cost anything or very, very little, would take little physical energy to create and mean an awful lot? Give the gift of words to your loved ones this year.

For the very young ones, why not draw a heartfelt picture that represents how special they are to you. You can frame it up with an inexpensive frame from the dollar store, wrap it lovingly and give them a soft hug when presenting it to them. Tell them how much their pictures have meant to you over the years and how much you want them to know how special they are to you on this holiday season and throughout the year. And if you have an extra dollar or two to spare, wrap up a box of crayons and some paper with your picture so they can draw you a special picture of love.

For the tweenies out there, you might consider starting a diary for them. You can buy an inexpensive notebook (again head for the dollar stores) and write a story about your tweenie years on the first page and how much they mean to you. For the tweenie boys that have a hobby you both share, perhaps you can write a letter telling them how much they mean to you and how you (during your tweens) loved their current hobby.

For the teens, you might consider a letter detailing how much you appreciate them. Find the things that they do or say that you are proud of and tell them. Perhaps they get good grades, volunteer, help out around their home when you aren't feeling well, or participate in a sport regularly. All of these take determination. Tell them so.

For the twenty somethings, you can write a letter detailing how proud you are of them and all they are accomplishing during this stage of life. And yes, even those that can not locate employment right now have much to celebrate in all they have done. This is just a rough patch right now and they need encouragement and support more then ever. Offer it up. Let them know that you have been there and let them know that they also can overcome and that they will succeed. Perhaps you can add a few of your favorite inspiring quotes.

For the thirty somethings with children, I would suggest a letter detailing how your loved one was as a child. Perhaps you could write about their first, second, or third Christmas to parallel their child's age and inspire the true meaning of Christmas. And of course, if you have any photos, include copies of those as well. Perhaps a favorite photo will stir your memory for a story to share.

For the older adults, any letter filled with love and appreciation for who they are, what they have accomplished will surely be appreciated. I have received several of these types of gifts over the years and to this day, I still have them and I cherish them.

And if letter writing isn't your thing, a short list of Christmas wishes written on a list, wrapped with a bow to hang on their tree will do.

So often we get lost in the glitz of it all. We forget that a kind word can mean so much more then a gold ring. To me, these gifts will be remembered for years to come and even though they will cost very little, they are priceless.

10 comments:

One of the first years my husband and I were married we made small gifts for each other. He wrapped a small box and added a message about never opening the box but knowing that inside there is always lots of love. I have kept that box for over 20 years and still love it!!! It is definitely one of my favorite gifts.

Thanks Deb. This became a discussion in my family this year with some family members out of work. How to give a gift that doesn't cost any or much money. I have learned to be creative. I will show the art projects I am making on my blog soon.

Adrienne...I am sooo looking forward to what beautiful handmade heartfelt gifts you have created for your loved ones this year. I soooo love the handmade ones. Just got some lovely sugar cookies as an early Christmas gift last night and yummmie!

I guess I was around 20 or 21, I had been racing motorcycles for about 3 years. My dad bought me a rather large set of Craftsman tools to work on my bikes with. I have added to them over the years but still have every tool. But it wasn't just about the tools. My parents did not like me racing but at that point I knew I had the support of them.

These are really great ideas! Love them! The most simple and handmade gifts are the most precious. I have written family members beautiful poems about what I love about them- I type them up on pretty paper and present them in goregous frames, they are always loved.